28 courses in Japan’s deep north
Akita is about as far from crowded golf as Japan gets. The prefecture runs along the Sea of Japan in the far north of Honshu, and its courses sit between the coastal plain and the mountains around Lake Tazawa, Japan’s deepest lake. The golf season is short and concentrated — heavy snow means roughly May to October — but those months deliver long daylight, cool air and green fees that would be unthinkable near a major city. Kakunodate’s preserved samurai district and the Nyuto hot springs are both close by.
GolfMatchy lists 28 golf courses in Akita. Weekday green fees across these courses run roughly ¥8,000 to ¥20,000. Weekends and public holidays typically run ¥12,000 to ¥24,000. 28 of the courses carry Google ratings, averaging 3.9 across 3,381 reviews. Best season: late April to early November — highland courses can freeze outside it. Most international visitors arrive via Sendai Airport (SDJ).
Akita Tsubakidai CC — 18 holes · par 72 · 4.0★ (148 reviews)
Gifu Country Club — 18 holes · par 72 · 4.5★ (100 reviews) · weekdays from ¥19,500The Akita Shinkansen reaches Akita city in about four hours from Tokyo, and Akita Airport has direct flights from Haneda in an hour. Distances between courses are large, so a rental car is close to essential for a multi-round trip. Book within the May–October window; most courses simply close for the winter.
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Roughly May to October. Akita gets some of the heaviest snowfall in Japan, so courses close for the winter rather than running temporary greens. The upside is a summer season with long daylight and comfortable temperatures when Tokyo is at its most humid.
Practically, yes, if you want to play more than one course. Akita is large and thinly populated, and courses are spread well apart with limited public transport. Flying into Akita Airport from Haneda and renting a car there is the usual approach; GolfMatchy can plan the tee times around your driving times.
GolfMatchy lists 28 golf courses in Akita. Every one of them can be booked in English through our concierge.
Weekday green fees in Akita run roughly ¥8,000 to ¥20,000, with weekends noticeably higher. GolfMatchy adds a flat per-golfer reservation fee on top, shown before you confirm.
Late April to early November — highland courses can freeze outside it. Weekdays are cheaper and far less crowded than weekends and public holidays in Akita.
Most international golfers arrive via Sendai Airport (SDJ). Many Japanese courses run a free shuttle from the nearest train station, and GolfMatchy sends the closest station, shuttle details and directions with every confirmed Akita booking.
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